Question

Fundementals of human resource management

THE SOUTHERN WIDGET MANUFACTURING

Introduction

Founded in 2006, Southern Widget Manufacturing sets out to be the leading manufacturer of widgets in the world. Southern Widget has sales and distribution centers around the world including six centers in the US. The company is a member of the World Widget Manufacturing Association (WWMA).

Widgets are used as a display tool for several products including: PC, TV, auto parts, furniture, etc.

The Widget is a Bamboo based product making both environmentally and economically sound. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for many applications Widgets it is considered one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.

Mission Statement

·       Provide a high-quality, affordable product

·       Create long term relationships with customers

·       Respond immediately to changing needs of customers

·       Achieve complete customer satisfaction

·       Improve our customer services continuously

·       Maintain excellent employee relations

·       Sustain community involvement

Vision

The vision at Southern Widget Manufacturing is to utilize our well trained and satisfied employee teams to deliver outstanding customer services.

Mission

At Southern Widget Manufacturing every person in our company is a member of the team and a team player, with expectations that they perform their duties to their fullest capacity and potential. Our objective is a commitment to the highest quality of widgets and customer service. The customer’s satisfaction is our major focus, reached through innovative and cost effective production. We will lead the Widget industry with well trained and satisfied employees and pleased customers.

Address any five of the Southern Widget Manufacturing Company following company issues: Please send to [email protected].

1)    Francisco works at Southern Widget as a welder. Although he is provided with protective goggles and a face mask, overalls and other types of protective clothing are not provided. After three months of work at Southern Widget, Francisco notices his skin becoming drier and gradually changing color. Alarmed with this development, he approaches his supervisor asking for details of the materials he works with. The supervisor declines to reveal any kind of information. What authority and laws can help Francisco file a claim?

2)    Virginia's boss, Luke, constantly uses sexually explicit language while communicating with his female subordinates. Though many female employees are bothered with this behavior, no one has ever complained for fear of negative repercussions. However, Virginia files a complaint against Luke with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Will this be considered as discriminatory behavior? Why or why not? Explain the prohibitions under Title VII for related behavior.

3)    Policy 137: The paint booths contain many toxic chemicals and are possibly harmful to unborn fetuses. In an abundance of caution Southern Widget will not allow its female employees of child bearing age to accept a position in the painting area. Employees working in the paint area make $5.00 more than other production employees. Is this considered discrimination, what is this called? Explain

4)    Southern Widget employees are being asked for their opinion on which type of insurance they would like to have. The choices are HMO or PPO. Explain the difference as they differ from traditional health care providers? Pretend you are an employee and give you choice, explain.

5)    You have been asked to write a FLSA policy. Be sure to include the three major parts as it might relate to Southern Widget.

6)    Thomas a Production Foreman was terminated. He has filed a Company grievance. On April 2, Thomas was told to open discharge valves into the Mississippi River which he refused to do. Additionally, he has been told by the company President, with witnesses, that he was such a good employee he had a job for life. Southern Widget’s rebuttal is that he refused a direct order and the company’s policy clearly state, that there are no contract employees. Does he have a case on either point? Discuss and serve as the arbitrator with the decision.

7)    John, the company Custodian, was in a horrific car accident as a child but has fully recovered from his injuries and is considered a very healthy individual. During the accident, John was burned and still has several facial scars that have disfigured his face. Many employees at John's company stare as he walks by and get distracted by his appearance. Is John protected by the ADA? Explain.

8)    The Widget Operators Local Unions 621 filed a petition to have Southern Widget create an alternative dispute resolution, including the most common techniques. Is that a good idea for the company, if so, what how should it include?

9)    Southern Widget is preparing to announce a new compensation system. Before the system goes live, as the HR Training Supervisor, you are required to do a company training on what goes into a compensation system. You will need to explain and discuss issues like: job structure, pay levels, motivation, cost control, etc.

10) As a future Supervisor what did you learn about Human Resources that you did not know before taking this course? What will you do to include this knowledge in your supervisory role?

Answer 1

1. Francisco has the following rights:

• Right to Know: Employers and managers must ensure that workers are mindful of the risks that individuals, facilities, products, the atmosphere, and procedures pose. Employees have the right to be trained and provide details about dangerous and harmful chemicals to which they are or are expected to be exposed.

Since he was denied the rights. So, he can file a complaint under the OSHA law.

2. I don't think this would be considered as discriminatory behavior because he is not particularly targeting any lady. Complaint for discrimination on the basis of sexual identity as complaints of sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and by the federal EEO complaint procedure at 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, unless expressly ordered by the claimant to use a separate complaint process, after having been informed by the agency that the claims of sexual orientation are ordinarily processed under section 1614.

3. No, this can not be called discrimination. It is known as BFOQ (Bonafide Occupational Qualification) where the employees are judged on the basis of their performance and suitability for the work. Since here the female employees are at greater risk. SO, this can not be called discrimination.

4. A Health Maintenance Organization, or HMO, is a health care provider network that agrees to provide services at lower prices negotiated by an insurance firm.

Members choose from a list of approved healthcare providers to choose one doctor. HMO participants will only visit a healthcare provider such as an obstetrician, rheumatologist, cardiologist, etc. if they seek a recommendation from their primary care practitioner (PCP), who is also known as the gatekeeper.

Specific services/benefits offered by an HMO can vary depending on the organization and the insurance program. Which may include preventive checks, screening for tumors, prescription medications, medical examinations, X-rays, and other scans. HMOs commonly provide maternity treatment and child care.

A preferred provider association or PPO is often a network of health care organizations that offer numerous primary insurance and health care service options for its members.

PPOs may not restrict patients to accessing in-network treatment. The appointment of a PCP (primary care physician) is available. Patients should make direct contact with the services so there is no requirement for referrals.

PPO programs typically offer greater coverage and reduced prices for the facilities offered by network providers and are preferred to use by insured individuals. Members that still seek coverage from services outside the network, though, but they would presumably pay extra for it.

If I were an employee, then I would have chosen PPO because it is having the facility to go out of the preferred network as well as lower cost compared to HMO.